Rating: 
Summary: El Mariachi/Desperado - A Twin Bonanza!
Review: These are 2 great action flicks I've watched in recent times. I do not really want to compare both, but couldn't help not doing it. El Mariachi is definitely a masterpiece from a very young, versatile director Robert Rodriguez, who I think has a tremendous potential. Good, solid performances from little known Carlos Gallardo and Conseula Gomez. Do not forget the fact that the movie was made for a measly budget of $7,000 with help from the Director's friends and acquaintances. Very gripping, amazing picturization and very good use of even trivial, simple looking things. A must-see movie for any Action Director Wannabe. On the flip side, it's meant for those who could follow Spanish or comfortable "reading" movies. Then there is Desperado, flashy and star studded. Rodriguez spices it up with some stylized action, steamy romance and an impressive music score and in the process losing some of his artistic touch. Banderas and Hayek have good chemistry between them and all other actors blend into their roles perfectly. It's not clear if Desperado is a remake or a sequel of El Mariachi. The storylines are similar except for the beginning and end. El Mariachi is not really a 'bad guy', just a victim of circumstances and slave to passion, does things he doesn't intend to, at the spur of the moment, falls in love with a girl in the town and pitched against the local Drug Baron in both. This would make one feel Desperado is a high-budget remake of El Mariachi. But, the Mariachi's motives are very different in both. In the former, an ambitious young Mariachi comes into the town to make a living for himself and is mistaken for a Guitarist gunslinger. However in the latter, he comes in to avenge his lover's brutal killing and also there's an interesting twist towards the end. If Moco who killed Mariachi's lover, met his death in Mariachi's hands in the first movie, why did he show up again in the second? If it was Moco who killed Mariachi's lover, why did he seek revenge on Bucho in the second? These could be flaws or things I didn't understand. Anyway, don't break your head on these, just sit back, relax and enjoy the movies.. I'm sure you'll love them! A note on DVD: Desperado DVD can't get any better, it's very good; However, Mariachi DVD leaves much to be desired. I believe there's a better 2-disc DVD available in the market that has a remastered version of Mariachi from the Director's original negatives. Go for that version if you're very particular about the DVD quality..
Rating: 
Summary: BUY THE BOX SET
Review: THESE MOVIES ARE EXCELENT. I LOVE THEM! BUT THIS DOESNT MAKE SENSE. THIS DOUBLE PACK COST MORE THEN THE BOX SET WHICH IS THE SAME TWO MOVIES AND SAME STUFF. EXCEPT THE BOX SET HAS A COOL BOX.
Rating:
Summary: Two great films about the mariachi!
Review: These two early Robert Rodriguez films about a simple musician mistaken for a killer and getting wrapped up in vengeance are some of the most fun action flicks you'll find. El Mariachi, Rodriguez's debut film, was made on a shoe-string budget of $7,000. The results are worth so much more, though. This is an origin story of how a simple mariachi (musician) mistakenly gets in the middle of a criminal's revenge against a drug lord. The mariachi is mistaken for the criminal who carries a guitar case like his, except filled with weapons instead of a guitar. Filled with fantastic action sequences, this film builds to a fantastic conclusion. Desperado, Rodriguez's first studio release, continues the story of the mariachi. Antonio Banderas replaces the actor originally playing the mariachi, and now, years later, is a vengeful man killing drug lords and their men. It begins with the mariachi plotting the death of his last drug lord. Since the original film, it seems the mariachi has become quite the skilled gunman. The action sequences are even bigger and better then the first film. Of the two, El Mariachi is the best. The story of how he became the mysterious guitar/gun case carrying killer is fascinating. Both films have impossible stunts, but who cares? They're not trying to mimic reality. These are just fun movies made for fun's sake. Rodriguez wants to add one more film to the mariachi series; Once Upon a Time in Mexico. He describes it as The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (the third and largest of Clint Eastwood's "Man with No Name" trilogy) of Mexican shoot outs, a film on a grand scale. Until he makes the final film of the trilogy though, we have these two smaller and more personal films about the Mariachi. And what great films they are.
Rating:
Summary: Recommended for film students and buffs
Review: This DVD is required for anyone trying or thinking of getting into film - or anyone else who wonders "how they do that?" Rodriguez's commentary thru both films is priceless. He gives away all the secrets of making a $7000 film look like a $1 mil film (Mariachi) and a $7 mil film look like a $20 mil film (Desparado). Also, he talks like you're having a beer with a buddy, not some cinema auteur. BTW, I took away 1 star just because Banderas is a little too suave - the 1st Mariachi was better as someone caught in something he didn't understand.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Box Set!!!
Review: This great 2 DVD box set of El Mariachi and Desperado is awesome!!! Both DVD's are special editions!!! And the extras are super cool(Incuding commentaries,trailers, 10 minute film school featurettes and more)!!! Two thumbs up!!! Five stars!!! A+
Rating:
Summary: Desperado - a Strong likeable yet violent movie
Review: This is supposed to be part of a trilogy, but it really is a barely connected duology. I think you can forget about the first movie El Mariachi, interesting only if you figure that the movie cost only $7,500. Amazing really that it should have been a one star, based on cost. But the director created a relatively interesting film, that I would have given 3 stars to, but have to downgrade for violence and language to a 2 star. At best it is a rental if one wishes to see what started it all for this director and what lead into the best of the three, movie, Desperado. Banderas and Hayek were not in the first movie, so I see little to connect it to the other two movies. The second movie in the trilogy is Desperado starring Antonio Banderas and Selma Hayek. Made in 1995, it seems to have grown in popularity over the years because of these two stars and the fact that this was a well funded and very well made movie. I liked Desperado enough to purchase it. This is not a family friendly movie. I give it 5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars because of lots of violence, bad language, nudity and simulated sex. But unlike Once Upon a Time in Mexico OUATIM, the banderas character is interesting to watch and rout for. Banderas is becoming one our better action stars not that he has turned in excellent performances in Zorro and the Thirteenth Warrior. The third movie, Once Upon a Time in Mexico OUATIM, of the duology-trilogy is an uninspired, sometimes boring, excursion into senseless violence. I wanted Banderas to survive, couldn't have cared less about the smart-aleck Depp character and the story wasn't clear enough to try and follow. This is a 3 star movie rounded down to 2 stars for violence and language. There was no nudity. Bottom line is that Desperado, the middle movie is a worthy addition to the collection for Banderas fans, the other two are not.
Rating:
Summary: "It's easier to pull the trigger than play guitar..."
Review: This is the package to get if you're thinking about checking out the two movies, "El Mariachi" and "Desperado." Why buy both separately when you can get them both for a great price? The "Desperado/El Mariachi" Collector's Box Set is a great offer that gives you plenty of action and thrills for a more than reasonable price. Not to mention that the set includes the "Special Edition" DVD versions of the two movies. "El Mariachi" is the directorial debut from Robert Rodriguez that became an instant classic and received critical praise. The film is about a Mariachi who gets into trouble when a case of mistaken identity forces him into a violent and bloody conflict. "Desperado" is the sequel that's filled with outstanding shootouts and amazing action sequences. The film continues the story of the Mariachi and his plan for revenge. The two films together equal a very entertaining time. Both of the DVDs included are "Special Editions" that are loaded with some cool extras. Extras that can be found on the DVDs are commentaries, featurettes, trailers and more. "Desperado" is mastered in High Definition and provides a very clear picture, while "El Mariachi" has a new film transfer that was supervised by the director. This box set is really the way to go if you're thinking about purchasing the two movies. I have a feeling that the set will be even more popular with the recent release of "Once Upon a Time in Mexico." You get two great movies for a very low price. It's almost like paying for one DVD and getting the other one free. The "Desperado/El Mariachi" Collector's Box Set offers the best quality DVD versions of the two films. If you're looking for action and excitement, this is the place to be. A definite worthy purchase, if you want my opinion. -Michael Crane
Rating:
Summary: "It's easier to pull the trigger than play guitar..."
Review: This is the package to get if you're thinking about checking out the two movies, "El Mariachi" and "Desperado." Why buy both separately when you can get them both for a great price? The "Desperado/El Mariachi" Collector's Box Set is a great offer that gives you plenty of action and thrills for a more than reasonable price. Not to mention that the set includes the "Special Edition" DVD versions of the two movies. "El Mariachi" is the directorial debut from Robert Rodriguez that became an instant classic and received critical praise. The film is about a Mariachi who gets into trouble when a case of mistaken identity forces him into a violent and bloody conflict. "Desperado" is the sequel that's filled with outstanding shootouts and amazing action sequences. The film continues the story of the Mariachi and his plan for revenge. The two films together equal a very entertaining time. Both of the DVDs included are "Special Editions" that are loaded with some cool extras. Extras that can be found on the DVDs are commentaries, featurettes, trailers and more. "Desperado" is mastered in High Definition and provides a very clear picture, while "El Mariachi" has a new film transfer that was supervised by the director. This box set is really the way to go if you're thinking about purchasing the two movies. I have a feeling that the set will be even more popular with the recent release of "Once Upon a Time in Mexico." You get two great movies for a very low price. It's almost like paying for one DVD and getting the other one free. The "Desperado/El Mariachi" Collector's Box Set offers the best quality DVD versions of the two films. If you're looking for action and excitement, this is the place to be. A definite worthy purchase, if you want my opinion. -Michael Crane
Rating:
Summary: "It's easier to pull the trigger than play guitar..."
Review: This is the package to get if you're thinking about checking out the two movies, "El Mariachi" and "Desperado." Why buy both separately when you can get them both for a great price? The "Desperado/El Mariachi" Collector's Box Set is a great offer that gives you plenty of action and thrills for a more than reasonable price. Not to mention that the set includes the "Special Edition" DVD versions of the two movies. "El Mariachi" is the directorial debut from Robert Rodriguez that became an instant classic and received critical praise. The film is about a Mariachi who gets into trouble when a case of mistaken identity forces him into a violent and bloody conflict. "Desperado" is the sequel that's filled with outstanding shootouts and amazing action sequences. The film continues the story of the Mariachi and his plan for revenge. The two films together equal a very entertaining time. Both of the DVDs included are "Special Editions" that are loaded with some cool extras. Extras that can be found on the DVDs are commentaries, featurettes, trailers and more. "Desperado" is mastered in High Definition and provides a very clear picture, while "El Mariachi" has a new film transfer that was supervised by the director. This box set is really the way to go if you're thinking about purchasing the two movies. I have a feeling that the set will be even more popular with the recent release of "Once Upon a Time in Mexico." You get two great movies for a very low price. It's almost like paying for one DVD and getting the other one free. The "Desperado/El Mariachi" Collector's Box Set offers the best quality DVD versions of the two films. If you're looking for action and excitement, this is the place to be. A definite worthy purchase, if you want my opinion. -Michael Crane
Rating:
Summary: Ay, ay, ay!
Review: This movie has everything! A dark, sexy anti-hero with a vendetta; a beautiful heroine; and a far fetched love story that gets pushed along because it is beset by villains of every shape and size. This is a laugh-a-minute action flick with cartoon-like violence and ridiculous characters. My favorite scene has Salma Hayek singing a lullaby while Antonio Banderas seemingly pulls not one, but two pistolas from his sweet derrier. You can not hate this movie. You must own it on DVD!
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